Craft Projects

Our main craft projects are currently underway, and we have all been very busy. Gabriel has started his first cross stitch project for the year- a pin cushion. He was bursting to go straight into a larger project (as Usual) but after this smaller one, we will look at designing a cushion cover for him to cross-stitch.

First stage of designing

Second stage designs- and the one outlined in red, is the cross-stitch pattern

Gabriel's project in progress

My design for a pin cushion.

Meanwhile Willow is into the early stages of her planning for making a stuffed toy. She's busy modelling wax horses, working on getting a good sense of shape for the horses she's making and developing her skills of observation. It's also interesting for her (and me) in that I'm largely leaving the project to her. I've discussed the goal (making a realistic 3d soft toy animal), and given guidance as required, but I'm leaving her to direct the project and what she does during her craft session.

Here is some of her work so far- all of these have been made in one afternoon.

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2025

The modelling wax strengthens the fingers and requires a lot more strength than regular play-doh, and IMO it can be really nice to alternate them for different purposes, in the early years.  Originally we had play-doh and Willow would use modelling wax at Steiner kindy.  With home schooling I found somewhere I could buy a few modelling wax colours at a time and build our collection slowly.  

There is a bit of a trick to using it when the weather is cold- using hands and breath to warm it, warm water or a candle if it is very cold.  In warm weather/hot weather it is very malleable, and so there is a lovely natural relationship to it as a material as the weather changes, and the seasons shift.